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WHAT DO WE KNOW? Recent reports indicate late 2015 release! Probably, due to Windows 8 update 3

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MORE BELLS AND WHISTLES, OF COURSE If Windows 9 were only about damage control, it wouldn't make a very compelling upgrade for satisfied Windows 7 users. So it's no surprise that Microsoft is throwing in some new features to get their attention.

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WHAT ELSE IS NEW? The Win 9 Start Screen does not force the use of full screen apps

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VIRTUAL DESKTOPS Users will be able to spread their work across multiple desktops, freeing them from clutter when moving between tasks. Virtual desktops would be controlled through a window icon on the left side of the taskbar, so users can switch between workspaces with a couple of clicks.

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FILE EXPLORER Includes a new 'Home' view, which is the default view. Notice the rows/groups for Favorites, Frequent Folders and Recent Files.

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COULD CORTANA BE A KEY PART OF WINDOWS 9? Cortana, in case you mised her/it, is the digital assistant that Microsoft introduced to Windows Phone 8.1. This would essentially add voice search, and other voice activated interactions, right into Windows 9.

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WINDOWS 9 PRICE Could Windows 9 be subscription based? Two sources report: The base OS will be free; certain features cost extra as subscription. Windows 365, a subscription based OS Most suggest that upgrade from Windows 8.1 will be free or inexpensive! Microsoft could switch to a long lifespan of free updates, following the lead of iOS, Mac OS X, Android and Chrome OS.

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RETURN OF THE START MENU Not exactly like Windows 7! It has an interesting new twist!

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SEARCH AND TASK VIEW BUTTONS One option which users have requested is the ability to hide the Search and Task View buttons on the taskbar. The Home area in File Explorer has also seen some additional changes, now with the ability to pin things to the Home area.